Rocks Laneway Project designs unveiled

Published: Thursday, 22 November 2018 at 10:45:37 AM

Geraldton’s CBD is about to receive a whole new lease on life as the official designs for the Rocks Laneway Project are unveiled.

Set to bring our beloved mall back to life, the bold graphic designs include the transformation of the Rocks building into a laneway, a revamped ‘town square’ and a ‘ghost office’ which will pay homage to the area’s history.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the project is about activating the CBD.

“This area is the heart of our City and we want to reactivate the space and make it a vibrant place people want to come to,” he said.

“The City’s investment in the Rocks building was the first step in this revitalisation process and the Rocks Laneway Project is about looking to the future whilst recognising our past.

“This is evident in one of the key elements of the project which involves the transformation of the Post Office Square into a proper town square featuring a ‘ghost office’ which is an architectural interpretation of the post office that formerly stood on the site.

“We are finally getting a town centre.”

Elements of the project include converting the Rocks building into a pedestrian laneway between Marine Terrace and the Foreshore that incorporates a space that could be used for activities or events.

The Post Office Laneway will also be improved with trees, seating, lighting and community art displays.

The entire project will be tied together with a colourful meta graphic design representing yellow, white and pink Geraldton wildflowers on a bed of dark green sea grass.

The graphic will span from laneway pavement, to the walls of the Telstra building, across Marine Terrace and through the Rocks Laneway.

The Rocks Laneway project is scheduled to go out for early tender notification this week with construction anticipated to be completed by September 2019.

Over the coming months the City Centre Revitalisation Plan will be further supported through the development of a Place Management Plan and Public Art Strategy ready for implementation at completion of construction.

We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Southern Yamatji Peoples who are the Traditional Owners and First People of these lands. The Nhanhagardi, Wilunyu, Amangu. I would like to pay my respect to the Elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of the Southern Yamatji Peoples.